Four more African nations, AU's top official back China's stance

Another four African countries together with deputy chairperson of the African Union (AU) voiced their support to China's stance on the South China Sea, the Foreign Ministry said on Monday.

The latest support came from Tanzania, Uganda, Eritrea, Comoros as well as the African Union's deputy chairperson, whose expressions are "in line with the fact of the South China Sea issue" and "represent fair and just voices of the international community", according to Foreign Ministry spokesman Hong Lei.

Hong said China "highly appreciates" such expressions.

The South China Sea issue has been a hot topic as the arbitration case unilaterally initiated by the Philippines over its disputes with China in the region is expected to have a ruling soon.

"More and more countries expressed their understanding and support to China's stance on the South China Sea issue, and support China and relevant countries in solving the South China Sea disputes according to bilateral agreements and regional consensus and through negotiation and consultation," Hong said.

Hong also urged relevant countries to abide by such agreements and consensus and "come back to the right path of solving the South China Sea issue through negotiation and consultation".